Writing fundraising and promotional copy for nonprofit organizations can be deeply rewarding.
As a professional copywriter, I’m often approached by charities and nonprofit organizations seeking assistance with their marketing copy. Sometimes they want help creating content for their website. Other times they need a fundraising letter, brochure or press kit materials written.
While you likely won’t get paid, working with charities can be personally rewarding, particularly if you believe in the cause. It can also help you build your portfolio of writing samples while giving you valuable experience. And it can connect you with other professionals who may at some time want to hire your services for their for-profit businesses. So as you’re building your copywriting career, don’t shy away from opportunities to volunteer.
Donating your copywriting services to help a charitable organization fundraise can add compelling samples to your portfolio.
I’ve given my time to the United Way, the YMCA, women’s business groups and fundraisers for various diseases. One of the causes I recently worked on was a fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease called the 1,000-Mile Marathon.
What follows is some of the copy I wrote just to give you a few actual examples of copywriting for a charity or non-profit.
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For the Home page of the website:
Go big or go home. That’s what James Mangini thought when he first conceived the idea of running 1,000 miles in just 30 days to raise awareness and funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a leader in research and the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
To say meeting his goal would require a strong commitment would be an understatement. But it was the type of undertaking James felt was justified when compared to the challenges his father, who has Parkinson’s disease, was facing.
“I wanted to do something that used every ounce of my mental and physical being to demonstrate my support for people suffering with this devastating disease,” explained James Mangini. “I hope my journey inspires others to do whatever they can to help us win the fight against Parkinson’s.”
On May 7, 2012 James will begin the marathon from his home in North Charleston, South Carolina to New York City and specifically the headquarters of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Running approximately 33 miles, or eight to 10 hours per day, James intends to arrive at his destination on June 6, 2012.
Along the way James will pass through nine states and hold various media events in at least a dozen major cities to raise awareness and funds for the cause, including Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Charlotte, NC; Greensboro, NC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Philadelphia, PA; Trenton, NJ; and Hillsborough, NJ.
James has set a financial goal of $500,000, which means he must raise half of that, $250,000, to qualify for a dollar-for-dollar fundraising match from the Brin Wojcicki Challenge.
“It’s an ambitious goal,” James admits, “but the need is great. The reception we’re getting from corporations and individuals has been amazing. When they hear about the marathon, they appreciate the commitment we’re making to bring attention to our cause, and they’re willing to get on board. They know we need to find a cure for this awful disease.”
The 1,000 Mile Marathon will require the hard work and generosity of many. Volunteers are needed to assist with public relations, social media, blogging and event planning. Please contact us if you’d like to be involved.
The monetary goal of the 1,000 Mile Marathon is bold. Every dollar counts. We welcome your donation.
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For the FAQ page of the website:
The 1,000 Mile Marathon is a unique fundraiser conceived by James Mangini, a South Carolina businessman. He plans to run 33 miles per day for 30 days. He’ll pass through nine states and ultimately cover the distance from North Charleston, to New York City, headquarters for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports research and medication for Parkinson’s disease. All funds collected will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The kickoff for the 1,000 Mile Marathon is May 7, 2012, and James intends to reach the final destination, New York City, in 30 days on June 6, 2012.
He plans to hold various media events in at least a dozen major cities to raise awareness and funds for the cause, including Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Charlotte, NC; Greensboro, NC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Philadelphia, PA; Trenton, NJ; and Hillsborough, NJ.
He plans to run alone, although he welcomes other runners to join him along the way as he passes through their city. He’ll also have a chase vehicle with a support crew. They’ll be blogging along the way and also videotaping the run to later create a documentary of the event.
Several corporate sponsors have already pledged their support including: Vitamin Shoppe, Home Telecom, the South Carolina Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, Berge Design and Charleston Southern University. Additional sponsors are being sought. You can learn more about sponsorship here.
The full financial goal is $500,000, which means the 1,000 Mile Marathon itself must raise half of that, $250,000, to qualify for a dollar-for-dollar fundraising match from the Brin Wojcicki Challenge.
That program was founded by Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google, and his wife, Anne Wojcicki, a co-founder of 23andMe, a genetic-testing company. The couple have been long-time supporters of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and generously pledged to match new and increased giving up to $50 million until December 31, 2012.
Yes, the 1,000 Mile Marthon website is live and James Mangini is writing a blog about his training work. He plans to spend the months leading up to the marathon, especially April, which is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, promoting the event and cultivating volunteers and sponsors.
No. He’s a 220 lb. man who says his athleticism is primarily in weight training. He’s never run more than six miles at once, and that was in the army 13 years ago. However, he is enthusiastic about the athletic challenge and, with proper training, confident he can succeed.
He has a running coach, a nutritionist and various other volunteers helping him to design a training program that will get him into shape for the run.
Using Google Maps, James and his team have navigated a route that includes byways and secondary roads, as runners are prohibited on major highways. The route will go through small towns and large cities across nine states, 1,000 miles in 30 days.
He estimates he will be doing some combination of running and walking for eight to 10 hours per day.
His team is still figuring out the diet for the journey itself. One thing they know is that James will have to consume at least 8,900 calories per day just to maintain his 220-lb. body weight.
His goal is to raise awareness and funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports research and treatments for people with Parkinson’s disease. On a personal note, James’ father has been diagnosed with the disease, which led James to research it and realize that his father is one of millions with this debilitating illness.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, more than five million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and another two million are estimated to be living with the disease but have yet to be diagnosed. Approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed each year. Over 1,500,000 people suffer from Parkinson’s disease in the United States alone.
It usually begins with slight tremors and involuntary muscle movement, which progressively gets worse. Although each Parkinson’s sufferer is different, the ultimate and final stage of the disease leaves them completely unable to feed themselves, walk, and talk or show any emotion.
We need volunteers to meet with us along the way and help us stage media events to get the necessary publicity for fundraising. We also need people to assist with bloggingj, social media and public relations work. Finally, we need donations. You can pledge your support here.
Contact the 1,000 Mile Marathon team at 212-555-1212.
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For the Press Kit distributed to media:
By Susan Greene
www.SusanGreeneCopywriter.com
For James Mangini, leading a purpose-filled life has always been a goal. But when he learned his father had Parkinson’s disease and saw the toll it was taking, he felt the need to do something extraordinary, something so colossal it would do more than demonstrate support for his father; it would also bring attention to the disease and raise funds needed to find a cure.
In May 2012, James will set out from his home in North Charleston, South Carolina, to begin a journey of 1,000 miles in just 30 days. For someone who’s never before run more than six miles at a time, it means grueling training. He’ll need to maintain a pace of 33 miles, roughly eight to 10 hours per day, with no days off.
The destination is New York City, home of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports research and treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Along the way James will pass through nine states and hold various media events in at least a dozen major cities to raise awareness and funds for the cause, including Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Charlotte, NC; Greensboro, NC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Philadelphia, PA; Trenton, NJ; and Hillsborough, NJ.
“My father was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2005,” explains James. “At the time, that didn’t mean much to me. My father seemed fine, other than a slight tremor in his pinky finger and a few other symptoms barely noticeable. I was sorry to hear my Dad’s diagnosis but wasn’t overly concerned.”
A few years went by and more symptoms began to appear – difficulty going from sitting to standing, a slight stutter in his speech. But it wasn’t until last December that James says he fully understood what the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease meant.
“I was returning home for Christmas, having moved out of state,” he explains. “I hadn’t seen my father in six months. As I parked my car, I saw my Dad open the door of his house and begin walking toward me. It was the longest, saddest walk I’d ever seen. Each step was a challenge that required obvious concentration and determination. His face was moving involuntarily – smiling, frowning, grimacing and twitching. His arms and hands were moving of their own accord, and it appeared his upper and lower body were doing different things, oddly disconnected.”
James still finds it difficult to speak of that moment. “It was so hard to see him like that. We hugged, and I managed to keep it together. But that night, alone with my wife, I cried uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe how much my father had changed and how the disease had taken over. I knew I had to do something.” The idea for the 1,000 mile marathon began to take shape.
After doing some research, James decided to work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation. “I learned they are extremely well respected and known for how well they utilize the funds they receive, a model for other charitable organizations,” he explains.
He soon joined the Team Fox Community, a group of about 3,000 passionate supporters who help raise funds year-round. He will soon become an official Team Fox mentor, having completed mentorship training with the organization and will use the designation to help recruit volunteers both for his marathon and other Parkinson disease fundraising events.
The kickoff for the 1,000-mile marathon is May 7, 2012 and James intends to reach the final destination, New York City, in 30 days on June 6, 2012.
He says he has the wholehearted support of his family, which includes seven brothers and sisters ages 18-38. “When I told my father about the fundraiser, he got very emotional. It meant so much to him that I was willing to do this.”
While his father’s condition has inspired this mission, James says he has other family members, past, present and future in mind as well. His father’s grandfather was diagnosed in the 1960s with the disease and lived the last 20 years of his life fighting the condition. Various other members of his extended family have been diagnosed with the disease as well. And with the disease having a genetic factor, James knows that he himself has a higher-than-average chance of getting it too.
“One of the things I like best about the Michael J. Fox Foundation is their aggressive research component,” James says. “Doctors believe there might be a cure just single digit years away. The work being done now will make a difference for the very next generation!”
James is quick to add that he’s not doing this run just for his father or his family but for all Parkinson’s victims. “I want to bring a realization of how debilitating the disease is, how fast it can progress and how many people it affects.”
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, more than five million people worldwide and 1,500,000 in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Another two million worldwide are estimated to be living with the disease but have yet to be diagnosed. Approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed each year.
Although each Parkinson’s sufferer is different, the ultimate and final stage of the disease leaves them completely unable to feed themselves, walk, and talk or show any emotion.
James plans to spend the next few months training for his run and also promoting his 1,000 Mile Marathon, especially during April, which is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. He’s already received support from a half-dozen corporate sponsors including: Vitamin Shoppe, Home Telecom, the South Carolina Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, Berge Design and Charleston Southern University. He hopes to bring on numerous additional sponsors.
James has set an ambitious financial goal of $500,000, which means he must raise half of that, $250,000, to qualify for a dollar-for-dollar fundraising match from the Brin Wojcicki Challenge. That program was founded by Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google, and his wife, Anne Wojcicki, a co-founder of 23andMe, a genetic-testing company. The couple have been long-time supporters of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and generously pledged to match new and increased giving up to $50 million until December 31, 2012.
In addition to his fundraising efforts, James is hard at work training for the 30-day run. He readily admits he’s not an endurance athlete, not your typical marathon man. At 220 lbs., his athleticism has always been in strength training. He can bench press 200 lbs., but the most he’s run in the past was in the military, about six miles a day, and that was 13 years ago!
He knows he has much ground to cover before he’s ready for the 1,000 mile marathon. James has a team of consultants who are overseeing his workout schedule and advising him on nutrition.
“I’m training hard physically, but I also am focused on the mental component of this undertaking,” he explains. “I just keep reminding myself, if my father and others like him can live with Parkinson’s, a disease that means their every day is filled with enormous physical challenges, I can take on this mission for a mere 30 days. I know I can do this.”
To follow James’ journey as he trains and then runs the 30-day 1,000 Mile Marathon, subscribe to his blog. To make a monetary contribution, click on “Donate Now.”
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Wow! Sounds great! I’d call that a wrap. Thank you so much for bearing with me. This was well worth the effort. Really sends the message home – POW!
Corey Hooper
President
Creators Bounty
Lighthouse Point, Florida
Susan Greene
Professional Copywriter
Affordable Rates
Orlando, Florida
floridacopywriter@gmail.com
(407) 578-5528
